2018 Honda CBR1000RR Review

TOTAL CONNECTION. TOTAL CONTROL.

First introduced overseas in 1992 (and in the U.S. shortly thereafter), Honda’s largest CBR has continuously reset expectations of what an open-class sport bike should be, with a holistic “Total Control” design approach that focuses on cornering, acceleration and braking. That practice is taken to the next level with the new-generation CBR1000RR SP, which has a high-performance power-to-weight ratio. Fully loaded with a cutting-edge electronics package, the CBR1000RR SP is underpinned by the “Next Stage Total Control” concept, with nimble handling and amazing acceleration.

Take riding to the next level

Underneath the skin of the new, sharper looking Fireblade is a unique assembly of the finest components you’ll ever find on a sports bike.

Defining features

A motorcycle built for sport as well as real-world riding.

The new CBR1000RR Fireblade has less weight, more power and advanced electronics – more than any previous Fireblade – that deliver outstanding performance wherever you ride.

A rider’s motorcycle

Fully equipped for the road and the track.

One of the CBR1000RR’s many outstanding features are the three selectable riding modes so you can program the machine to suit different conditions. It can be tuned to be comfortable and easy-going when you want it to be, yet feed the need for exhilarating action when adrenalin demands it.

First introduced overseas in 1992 (and in the U.S. shortly thereafter), Honda’s largest CBR has continuously reset expectations of what an open-class sport bike should be, with a holistic “Total Control” design approach that focuses on cornering, acceleration and braking. That practice is taken to the next level with the new-generation CBR1000RR SP, which has a high-performance power-to-weight ratio. Fully loaded with a cutting-edge electronics package, the CBR1000RR SP is underpinned by the “Next Stage Total Control” concept, with nimble handling and amazing acceleration.

Power up, weight down

Light, powerful and easy to control. The 16-valve DOHC engine found in the CBR1000RR resuts in a 10 horsepower increase over the previous generation and a significant overall lightweight design. Powered by rich racing ?heritage and proven real world performance, the flagship CBR1000RR maintains its user-friendly character, specifically designed and dedicated to the concept of total control.

High-tech upgrades

Engineered with extraordinary precision and designed with powerful purpose, the high horsepower engine revs harder and higher thanks to its 13:1 compression ratio, advanced cam timing ?and high revving 13,000 rpm redline. The pistons feature an optimized wall thickness and crown design, while the piston rings have Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating that improves sealing. Polished inlet and exhaust ports in the cylinder head and “gas-flowed” combustion chambers improve efficiency, and the intake funnels are “slash cut”, a design used in World Superbike.

Magnesium covers

From the use of a magnesium oil pan and ignition cover to a light Assist Slipper Clutch with light yet strong transmission gears, it ?all adds up to an engine that’s 2 kg (4.4 lbs) lighter than that found in its previous generation. This incredible attention to detail even included ?careful analysis on the precise shape and length of bolts, hoses and clamps.

Lightweight titanium muffler

The titanium irregular-cross-section muffler helps shave overall weight, while also creating an unmistakable sound at wide open throttle. The exhaust supplier to the Repsol Honda MotoGP team was tasked to develop the prototype and produced an exquisite design with the 4-2-1 double-layer downpipes incorporating the exhaust valve within the first main pipe.

Cutting-edge electronics

The CBR1000RR features a cutting-edge electronic control system, allowing you to tailor its performance exactly the way you like it. Central to the system is the 5-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) gyro, which precisely measures what the machine is doing, in every plane. It works with the fuel-injection ECU, Throttle By Wire system—the first on an inline-four Honda—and even the ABS system to provide unparalleled ride control right at your fingertips.

Choose your Riding Mode

The Riding Mode Select System makes it easy to program the CBR’s electronic controls for various types of riding situations. Accessed via the instrument panel and switches beside the left handgrip, RMSS lets you choose, on the fly, between five different combinations of electronic control: three modes offer preset combinations of engine power level, rear-wheel traction and wheelie control, and engine braking strength, while two additional user settings allow you to customize combinations to your exact preferences.

Full rider control

Here’s what the Riding Mode Select System allows you to control. Power Selector (5 levels), which regulates engine power from peak output in all six gears at Level 1 to gentler power increase at Level 5 (all levels have the same throttle response on initial opening). Honda Selectable Torque Control (9 levels and off), which manages rear-wheel traction and front-wheel lift under acceleration. Selectable Engine Brake Control (3 levels), which regulates the amount of engine-braking force when you roll off the throttle.

Larger EFI throttle bodies

The CBR’s Dual-Stage Fuel Injection system features two sets of injectors per cylinder for instantaneous high-rpm response, great low-rpm fuel metering, and clean running. Refined EFI settings and larger throttle bodies (48 mm vs 46 mm) make the engine even more manageable, with smoother throttle response particularly at smaller throttle openings.

Superb handling

The 43 mm fork incorporates Showa’s latest Big Piston technology with a larger damping-oil volume to effectively reduce the hydraulic pressure generated as the fork legs compress and extend. The result is more precise action during the initial stroke and smoother overall damping action for improved handling, enhanced front-end feedback, and a more solid feel during hard braking. At the back, the Unit Pro-Link® rear suspension features a patented Balance Free Rear Shock from Showa that incorporates a unique double-tube design featuring a damper case plus an internal cylinder for more-responsive, smoother damping action and a smoother transition between compression and rebound, resulting in improved traction and road holding.

Advanced ABS

The CBR1000RR’s gyro-assisted ABS takes anti-lock braking technology to an even higher level. Using lean-angle data from the IMU and both front- and rear-wheel speed sensors, the system allows hard trail braking into corners and limits rear-wheel lift—preventing the rear of the machine from elevating or “backing in” around the front. Radial-mount front brake calipers use newly developed brake pads with a high coefficient of friction that perform better at the elevated temperatures created during aggressive riding.

Even better handling

The lightweight hollow die-cast twin-spar aluminum frame’s rigidity balance delivers precise handling with outstanding steering response, feel and stability. The Unit Pro-Link swingarm has also had the thickness of each section adjusted to save on weight, while maintaining transverse rigidity and increasing torsional rigidity.

Steering control

Most steering dampers only sense handlebar-deflection speed. The Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) is way more sophisticated. It also detects vehicle speed, and adjusts damping proportionally. This helps maintain low-speed maneuverability while providing predictable high-speed handling.

Like the exotic RC213V-S, the CBR1000RR uses a full-colour TFT liquid-crystal instrument panel that automatically adjusts to ambient light. It includes a speedometer, tachometer and odometers, plus indicators for gear position, shift-up point (rider adjustable), fuel economy, distance to empty, and more. And by choosing one of three modes—Street, Circuit or Mechanic—the panel also reveals a wealth of additional data. Street shows you the Riding Mode you’re in plus the settings for each parameter: P (Power Selector), T (Honda Selectable Torque Control), and EB (Selectable Engine Brake). Circuit adds to these the lap time, number of laps, and difference from the best lap. Mechanic displays such info as grip angle, coolant temperature and battery voltage.

Wind-cutting shape

The CBR’s sleek, lightweight bodywork wraps around the chassis and engine tightly, adding to the bike’s compact proportions and aerodynamic efficiency. The narrow upper fairing and the surface angle of the headlights in conjunction with the contouring of the side slits all help support enhanced stability at high speed. In a racing crouch the rider is tucked well out of the airstream, and in normal riding situations air pressure is evenly distributed on the rider’s shoulders, back and sides.

Bright LED lighting

All lighting is crisp LED, with the twin front headlights offering high/low beam on both sides. The brilliantly bright headlights also further improve the CBR1000RR’s mass centralization due to their lightweight versus traditional headlight systems.

Valve lift and timing are optimized for high engine speeds, with a peak of 13,000 rpm.

Thickness of different areas of pistons are optimized for minimum weight, and compression ratio is 13.0:1.

Piston rings have Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating for a superb sealing property.

Air-intake duct and air box design minimizes air resistance. High fuel-discharge pressure promotes fuel atomization and maximizes combustion efficiency, while throttle response is maximized by intake funnels with a slash-cut design.

Magnesium construction of the oil pan and ignition cover contribute to a low engine weight.

Slipper clutch has a low clutch-spring load. Die-cast aluminum assist cams (transmitting & receiving) contribute to a low weight, while optimized clearance between the cams make for a good clutch-lever feel.

On CB1000RR SP, lightweight titanium muffler helps concentrate mass. Its double pipe structure enables effective utilization of the expansion chamber, while the variable exhaust valve achieves a throaty sound and good power delivery across the rpm range.

Derived from the RC213V-S, the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) measures front and rear wheel speeds and body roll angle, and also uses attitude-detection technology developed for ASIMO.

Wheelie behavior is electronically mitigated during acceleration; based on wheel speeds, the ECU decreases the throttle-valve opening to reduce torque.

The slip rate of the rear wheel is restrained during cornering and acceleration; torque is controlled based on vehicle roll angle, such as when turning, contributing to a sense of security during the riding experience.

The rider can choose how strongly the engine brake is applied when the throttle is closed during deceleration; three levels of adjustability are available, depending on rider preference.

A quick shifter allows shifting up or down without use of the throttle or clutch; the driving load on gears is reduced during shifting, simplifying the rider’s shifting process on the track, on winding roads or in traffic. For both upshifting and downshifting, feel can be adjusted between three levels.

Adapted from the RC213V-S, the throttle-by-wire system (a first on a straight-four Honda) features a built-in Accelerator Position Sensor and improves response and rideability.

Full-color thin-film-transistor liquid crystal meter features Street, Circuit, and Mechanic displays and is designed to not be intrusive for the rider.

A five-level Power Selector enables on-the-fly adjustment of riding modes, HSTC and suspension electronics, adapting the machine to changing conditions.

Available anti-lock braking system (ABS) features rear-lift control (RLC), for smooth, effective braking on corner entry; braking force is controlled according to lean angle, and hard trail braking is allowed.

WARRANTY: Because we are so confident in the quality of each of our Honda Accessories, we are pleased to offer one of the best warranties in the industry. One-year warranty begins on the day accessories are purchased by the customer.

Meets current CARB and EPA standards.

Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Meets current EPA standards
Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment
Specifications subject to change

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